Singularity.FM

Last week I interviewed Dr. Randal Koene for Singularity 1 on 1. Dr. Koene is perhaps one of the world’s foremost neuroscientists. He is director of analysis at Halcyon Molecular, co-founder of Carbon Copies and co-founder of and director at the Neural Engineering Corporation of Massachusetts. Randal’s research objective is […]

Last week I interviewed Dr. Randal Koene for Singularity 1 on 1. Dr. Koene is perhaps one of the world's foremost neuroscientists. He is director of analysis at Halcyon Molecular, co-founder of Carbon Copies and co-founder of and director at the Neural Engineering Corporation of Massachusetts. Randal's research objective is whole brain emulation, creating the large-scale high-resolution representations and emulations of activity in neuronal circuitry that are needed in patient-specific neuroprostheses. During our 70 min conversation we discuss a large variety of topics such as: Randal's early childhood and interest in science fiction; his lack of time to do all the things that he wanted to; his fascination with neuroscience; the distinction between whole brain emulation, whole brain simulation and complete understanding of the human brain; his work at Halcyon Molecular, Carbon Copies and Neuro Engineersing; the roadmap and benchmarks on the path of mind-uploading; the best and worst case scenarios that could result from Dr. Koene's work; some of the ethical implications of mind uploading; the relationship between mind-uploading and the technological singularity. (As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full.) Who is Randal Koene? Randal A. Koene is heading up Analysis at nanotechnology company Halcyon Molecular in Silicon Valley. Previously, Randal A. Koene, Ph.D., was Director of the Department of Neuroengineering at Tecnalia, third largest private research organization in Europe. He is a former Prof. at the Center for Memory and Brain of Boston University, and co-founder/owner of the Neural Engineering Corporation of Massachusetts. His research objective is whole brain emulation, creating the large-scale high-resolution representations and emulations of activity in neuronal circuitry that are needed in patient-specific neuroprostheses. Koene has professional expertise in computational neuroscience, psychology, information theory, electrical engineering and physics. He organizes neural engineering efforts to obtain and replicate function and structure information that resides in the neural substrate for use in neuroprostheses and neural interfaces. And based on NETMORPH (netmorph.org), Koene's computational framework for the simulated morphological development of neuronal circuitry, his lab is creating a Virtual Brain Laboratory to give neuroscientists, neuroengineers and clinicians large-scale high-resolution quantitative tools analogous to the computational tools that have become essential in fields such as genetics, chemistry or the aero-space industry. This effort bridges scales and will help determine how significant functions are encoded robustly in neural ensembles, and how those functions can nevertheless depend in specific ways on the detailed biophysics of particular component physiology. Koene earned his Ph.D. in Computational Neuroscience at the Department of Psychology at McGill University, and his M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Information Theory at Delft University of Technology. He is a member of the Oxford working group that convened in 2007 to create a first roadmap toward whole brain emulation (a descriptive term for the technological accomplishment of mind transfer to a different substrate that was first coined by Koene on his MindUploading.org website). Visit Koene's personal web site rak.minduploading.org, carboncopies.org, MindUploading.org or watch Koene present and discuss “Scope and Resolution in Neural Prosthetics and Special Concerns for Emulation of a Whole Brain”. Related articles Mind Reading, Thought Control and Neuro Marketing: Is “the Lord of the World” still science fiction?

Last week I interviewed Dr. Randal Koene for Singularity 1 on 1. Dr. Koene is perhaps one of the world’s foremost neuroscientists. He is director of analysis at Halcyon Molecular, co-founder of Carbon Copies and co-founder of and director at the Neural Engineering Corporation of Massachusetts. Randal’s research objective is whole brain emulation, creating the […]

Yesterday I interviewed science comedian Brian Malow for Singularity 1 on 1. Brian is one of those unique comedians who is capable to not only make you laugh but also make you think. During our conversation we discuss topics such as: the name science comedian and the potential tension between […]

Yesterday I interviewed science comedian Brian Malow for Singularity 1 on 1. Brian is one of those unique comedians who is capable to not only make you laugh but also make you think. During our conversation we discuss topics such as: the name science comedian and the potential tension between science and comedy; serious comedy, mixing humor with scientific truth and making people think; how Brian became a comedian; the connections between science and science fiction; his favorite science fiction writers; his hobbies of insect photography and writing short sci fi stories; his take on the technological singularity and our chances of surviving it. (As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full.)   Who is Brian Malow? Brian is a science comedian, based in San Francisco, who has performed for the American Chemical Society, the National Association of Science Writers, Apple, Dell, JPL, NIST, AGU and other acronyms. He produces science videos for Time Magazine’s website, and audio essays for Neil deGrasse Tyson’s radio show. Brian has led workshops and given presentations to train scientists to become better speakers for the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Research Council of Canada. He has been featured on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," and on A&E, and in the New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and Nature. More Brian Malow jokes on science (and the Higgs boson): Science Laughs: Science Comedian Brian Malow from Wonderfest and Wonderfest on FORA.tv Related articles Robert J. Sawyer on Singularity 1 on 1: The Human Adventure is Just Beginning Stephen Colbert Interviews Neil deGrasse Tyson at Montclair Kimberley Academy Most of Brian Malow's Time Magazine Videos

Yesterday I interviewed science comedian Brian Malow for Singularity 1 on 1. Brian is one of those unique comedians who is capable to not only make you laugh but also make you think. During our conversation we discuss topics such as: the name science comedian and the potential tension between science and comedy; serious comedy, […]

It is only fair that every once-in-a-while Socrates – i.e. “the man with the questions,” ought to get the table turned on him, take the other side of the microphone and answer a few questions himself. So, when Cameron Reilly asked me to be the next guest on his popular and long-running No […]

It is only fair that every once-in-a-while Socrates - i.e. "the man with the questions," ought to get the table turned on him, take the other side of the microphone and answer a few questions himself. So, when Cameron Reilly asked me to be the next guest on his popular and long-running No Illusions Podcast I was honored and agreed without hesitation. In 2004 Cameron co-founded the Podcast Network - Australia's first social media company, which he built into one of the largest independent Australian media sites. In 2007, Reilly was called one of the "40 Biggest Players Of Australia's Digital Age." Currently he is a regular speaker on issues surrounding social media, social networking and the future of media in addition to consulting for a number of Brisbane-based companies as their digital strategist. During my conversation with Cameron we discuss issues such as: my personal history and being born Bulgarian; Canada, Toronto and becoming Canadian; my take on the concept and definition of the technological singularity; the Rapture of the Nerds criticism; the scientific method, science and religion; Moore's Law; nanotechnology; the potential for dividing humanity into technophile transhumanists and technophobe neo-luddites and all out global war between these two fractions; the pro's and con's of being skeptical and using the Socratic method of inquiry. Related articles If Socrates Were A Blogger Hamlet’s Transhumanist Dilemma: Will Technology Replace Biology? A Transhumanist Manifesto What is the best definition of the Technological Singularity? Charlie Stross on Singularity 1 on 1: The World is Complicated. Elegant Narratives Explaining Everything Are Wrong! Stephen Wolfram on Singularity 1 on 1: To Understand the Future, Explore the Computational Universe

It is only fair that every once-in-a-while Socrates – i.e. “the man with the questions,” ought to get the table turned on him, take the other side of the microphone and answer a few questions himself. So, when Cameron Reilly asked me to be the next guest on his popular and long-running No Illusions Podcast I was honored and […]

A couple of days ago I interviewed David Simpson for Singularity 1 on 1. David Simpson is a young up-and-coming science fiction writer from Vancouver. He is the author of the sci-fi novels Post-Human – his 2009 debut, as well as Trans-Human – the sequel. During our conversation we discuss issues such as: David’s early interest […]

A couple of days ago I interviewed David Simpson for Singularity 1 on 1. David Simpson is a young up-and-coming science fiction writer from Vancouver. He is the author of the sci-fi novels Post-Human - his 2009 debut, as well as Trans-Human - the sequel. During our conversation we discuss issues such as: David’s early interest in writing; the motivation and goals behind his work; the relationship between science fiction and technology; his favorite science fiction authors; his current and future books as well as the meaning behind their titles. (As always you can listen to or download the audio file above or scroll down and watch the video interview in full.)   Who is David Simpson? David Simpson is the author of the sci-fi novel Post-Human, his 2009 debut, as well as Trans-Human - the sequel. He is also the author of The God Killers, which is his first sci-fi/horror novel. David has recently taken the unusual step of re-publishing his books as Kindle ebooks so that he could offer them at extremely low prices, eliminating the overpricing caused by having a traditional publisher. He believes that this is a necessary and positive transition, as the technology that has dictated the practices of the publishing industry - paper books, is rapidly being replaced by ebooks. Post-Human is available for free on his website. (To get a free copy click here) Trans-Human and The God Killers are available from Amazon.com for only 99 cents each. David has a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of British Columbia and is the winner of over a dozen awards and scholarships, both as a student and as a Teacher at the university level. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, in West Vancouver British Columbia. David Simpson's Books Post-Human is a well-reviewed sci-fi novel that portrays a vision of a pre-singularity civilization as it deals with the social ramifications of immortality as well as strong A.I. Examiner.com said that it was a “Noteworthy Sci-fi novel” and that “The matter-of-fact way the author handled the science aspects of the plot was refreshing. There were no long-winded, technical explanations; he plunks the reader right in the middle of the society and whips you along for the ride. It was artfully done, creating a complete science fiction backdrop for the novel’s authentic characters. The book also has some excellent character interactions and nicely written, restrained commentaries on tolerance, humanity and the nature of religion. The author lets these observations flow naturally from the plot and dialogue and does not thump the reader over the head with his opinions.” Trans-Human takes the outcome of its predecessor and turns it on its head. Author A.F. Stewart says that “it is an engaging sequel that will delight fans of his book Post-Human. It is a thought-provoking, energetic sci-fi book, with a robust dose of high-octane exploits” and that “if you like your science fiction speculative, philosophical, a little theological and action-packed, Trans-Human is the book for you.” The book takes the reader right to the cusp of the singularity and was described by one reader as “the only sci-fi book that goes far enough.” The God Killers is David’s first foray into the horror genre and is only tangentially related to the singularity in the sense that the characters are literally trying to kill God, which is something David feels will have to be accomplished metaphorically by the time the singularity arrives. The book contains David’s trademark super fast pacing and should delight his sci-fi fans as well, as God is explained as being an evil alien from a parallel and overlapping dimension. Professor Wilhelm Emilsson from Douglas College, described it as “Gritty Cosmic Existentialism -- with fast cars and explosions.” The God Killers is currently being adapted as a graphic novel, which will be available in 2013. Related articles

A couple of days ago I interviewed David Simpson for Singularity 1 on 1. David Simpson is a young up-and-coming science fiction writer from Vancouver. He is the author of the sci-fi novels Post-Human – his 2009 debut, as well as Trans-Human – the sequel. During our conversation we discuss issues such as: David’s early interest in writing; the motivation and […]

This Thursday I interviewed David Orban for Singularity 1 on 1. I have to admit that David is one of my favorite singularitarians and I enjoyed talking to him immensely. During our conversation we discuss issues such as: David’s personal background and early interest in science and technology; the motivation and goals […]

This Thursday I interviewed David Orban for Singularity 1 on 1. I have to admit that David is one of my favorite singularitarians and I enjoyed talking to him immensely. During our conversation we discuss issues such as: David's personal background ...

This Thursday I interviewed David Orban for Singularity 1 on 1. I have to admit that David is one of my favorite singularitarians and I enjoyed talking to him immensely. During our conversation we discuss issues such as: David’s personal background and early interest in science and technology; the motivation and goals behind his work; his involvement […]